Small clothing item device and method

ABSTRACT

A device including a substantially rectangular bag having a front panel with two sides and a rear panel with two sides, the front panel being joined to the rear panel about the periphery thereof to form a closed bag; a centrally-located closure means disposed on the front panel along the length of the bag; and a plurality of interior compartments, each of the interior compartments being formed by securing a portion of the front panel to a corresponding portion of the rear panel is provided, in addition to methods for using the devices.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/342,772, filed Apr. 20, 2010, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates generally to bags suitable for use with laundry machines and dryers, and more particularly, to bags for separating smaller items from larger items suitable for use in laundry machines and dryers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In every household having a laundry or washing machine, there is a problem with small items of laundry becoming lost, possibly in the machine, or stuck inside other clothing. In this regard, the most troublesome small clothing items are socks. There are a number of laundry bags commercially available, but there remains a need for bags suitable for use with laundry machines and dryers that separates small items from larger items in the wash and prevents the loss or misplacement of small items during the washing and drying cycles.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to an aspect of the invention, a device including a substantially rectangular bag, including a front panel with two sides and a rear panel with two sides, the front panel being joined to the rear panel about the periphery thereof to form a closed bag; a centrally-located closure means disposed on the front panel and extending substantially along the length of the bag; and a plurality of interior compartments, each of the interior compartments formed by securing a portion of the front panel to a corresponding portion of the rear panel is described.

According to an aspect of the invention, an device including a mesh-like bag, including a front panel having a selected width and length, and having a top, a bottom, and two sides, a rear panel having a width and length corresponding to the front panel, the rear panel having a top, a bottom, and two sides, the front panel being joined to the rear panel about the top, bottom and sides thereof to form a closed bag, an openable closure means centrally located and extending along the length of the front panel; and a plurality of partitions disposed along the length of the bag, the plurality of partitions being oriented generally perpendicular to the sides of the bag is also described.

According to another aspect of the invention, a method for washing small items in a washing machine, including the steps of: providing a mesh-like bag, the bag including: a front panel with two sides and a rear panel with two sides, the front panel being joined to the rear panel about the periphery thereof, a centrally-located closure means on the front panel extending along the length of the bag; and a plurality of interior compartments, each of the interior compartments formed by securing a portion of the front panel to the rear panel, the portion being a distance less than one-half the width of the bag; placing small items of clothing to be washed in the interior compartments; and placing the bag in a washing machine to wash the items of clothing contained therein is also described.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Throughout the drawings, like reference numerals are used to indicate common features of the described devices.

FIG. 1 is a top plan view illustrating the device according to an aspect of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view illustrating the closure means of the device illustrated in FIG. 1 in an open position according to an aspect of the invention; and

FIG. 3 is top plan view illustrating an alternative closure means for the device according to an aspect of the invention.

The above-identified drawing figures set forth several preferred embodiments of the invention. Other embodiments are also contemplated, as disclosed herein. The disclosure represents the invention, but is not limited thereby, as it should be understood that numerous other modifications and embodiments may be devised by those skilled in the art which fall within the scope and spirit of the invention as claimed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As used herein, the terms “comprises”, “comprising”, “includes”, “including”, “has”, “having”, or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusions. For example, a process, method, article or apparatus that comprises a list of elements is not necessarily limited to only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. In addition, unless expressly stated to the contrary, the term “of” refers to an inclusive “or” and not to an exclusive “or”. For example, a condition A or B is satisfied by any one of the following: A is true (or present) and B is false (or not present); A is false (or not present) and B is true (or present); and both A and B are true (or present).

The terms “a” or “an” as used herein are to describe elements and components of the invention. This is done for convenience to the reader and to provide a general sense of the invention. The use of these terms in the description herein should be read and understood to include one or at least one. In addition, the singular also includes the plural unless indicated to the contrary.

For example, reference to a composition containing “a compound” includes one or more compounds. As used in this specification and the appended claims, the term “or” is generally employed in its sense including “and/or” unless the content clearly dictates otherwise.

All numeric values are herein assumed to be modified by the term “about” or “approximately” whether or not explicitly indicated. The term “about” generally refers to a range of numbers that one of skill in the art would consider equivalent to the recited value (i.e., having the same function or result). In any instances, the terms “about” may include numbers that are rounded to the nearest significant figure.

Referring to FIG. 1, according to an aspect of the invention, a device 10 for separating and retaining small items of clothing which is suitable and configured for use in a commercial or household washing machine and dryer is illustrated. The device 10 includes a top 12, a bottom 14 and two sides 16. The device 10 further includes a front panel 20 and a rear panel 22, as illustrated in FIG. 2. As illustrated in FIG. 2, it should be understood that the rear panel 22 is similar to the front panel 20, but does not include a closure means. In one aspect, the device 10 is substantially rectangular. The closed bag is formed by being joined about the periphery of each panel 20 and 22 to form an enclosure. Centrally disposed and extending along the length of the front panel 20 is a closure means for closing and opening the enclosed bag. In one aspect the closure means is a zipper 24, and in another aspect the closure means may be formed of VELCRO 24′, as illustrated in FIG. 3. Alternatively, the closure means may include a plurality of snaps, buttons, and other suitable means for closing a flexible fabric bag. The joining of the panels and attaching the closure means to the device 10 may be by sewing or stitching, and other suitable means for attachment.

Referring still to FIG. 1, a plurality of compartments 26 are illustrated. It should be understood that although the partitions 28 forming the compartments 26 are visible from the exterior, the compartments 26 are not accessible when the closure means in is a closed state, as illustrated in FIG. 1, to allow the device 10 to be placed in a washing machine or dryer and retain each item of clothing placed therein. The interior 18 of the compartments 26 are accessible only when the closure means is in an open state, as illustrated in FIG. 2. The compartments 26 are formed by joining a portion of the front panel 20 to a corresponding portion of the rear panel 22, thereby forming a partition 28. A suitable method for joining the portions is by sewing or stitching a seam. Alternative methods are also envisioned. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the portions joined that form a partition 28 are oriented in a generally perpendicular direction with respect to a side 16 of the bag. The length of the partition 28 extends to a point adjacent the closure means 24 or 24′, but does not reach or intersect with the closure.

The device 10 according to an aspect of the invention is mesh-like, or formed of a mesh material. A suitable material for the device 10 includes nylon. It should be understood that the composition of the material is not critical, and that many other different materials may be used, provided that the material will be durable and retain the mesh-like quality after repeated washing and drying cycles.

Still referring to FIG. 1, an optional loop 30 is illustrated at the top edge 12 of the device 10. The loop 30 may be placed on a hook or other device for convenience or for storage, depending upon the needs of the user. In addition, and as another option, apertures 36 reinforced by grommets, for example, may be formed through the device 10 along one side 16 for receiving a hanging device 32, for example, a cord.

Referring now to FIG. 2, according to an aspect of the invention, the device 10 is illustrated in a partially opened state. As illustrated, the centrally-located longitudinal closure means 24 is opened to reveal and provide accessibility to the interior 18 of the compartments 26 along the length of the device 10. Small items of clothing, for example, a sock 34, may be placed in the interior 18 of the compartments 26. Although more than one sock may fit into one compartment, placing one item per compartment allows each item to be thoroughly washed and dried. It should be understood that although a sock is illustrated, other types of small clothing articles may be placed in the interior 18 of the compartments 26.

The compartments 26 may be selectively sized. In one aspect, the compartments may have a height of approximately three inches, and a width of approximately six inches. The length of the portions of the panels 20 and 22 that are joined to form the partitions 28 may be approximately 5 to 5½ inches, but the partitions 28 do not extend to, or intersect with, the closure means of the device 10. It should be understood that the aforementioned dimensions are for illustration only, as the exact dimensions of the bag and the respective compartments are not critical, and that other suitable dimensions may be employed.

Referring to FIG. 3, an alternative closure means 24′, which includes two strips of VELCRO material, one strip being of a hook configuration, and the other strip being of a loop configuration, is illustrated on the device 10′. In this aspect, the front panel may be formed of two substantially equally-sized panels 20 a and 20 b, to provide overlap of one hooked strip of VELCRO disposed on the outer surface of panel 20 b to a looped strip of VELCRO disposed on the inner surface of panel 20 a.

According to another aspect of the invention, a method for washing small items in a washing machine includes providing a mesh-like bag including a front panel with two sides and a rear panel with two sides. The front panel is joined to the rear panel about the periphery thereof to form an enclosure. A centrally-located closure means is disposed on the front panel and extends along the length of the bag. A plurality of interior compartments is formed by securing a portion of the front panel to a corresponding portion of the rear panel. The portion(s) that are secured have a length less than one-half the width of the enclosed bag. Small items of clothing may be placed in the interior compartments of the mesh-like bag, and subsequently placed in a washing machine, with or without additional items of clothing, and washed by the washing machine. Upon the end of the wash cycle, the bag may be removed, and placed in a clothes dryer.

The invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments. One of ordinary skill in the art, however, appreciates that various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the claims. For example, although the bag is described in some aspects as substantially rectangular, the bag may be substantially square in shape. Accordingly, the specification is to be regarded in an illustrative manner, rather than with a restrictive view, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the invention.

Benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have been described above with regard to specific embodiments. The benefits, advantages, and solutions to problems, and any element(s) that may cause any benefits, advantages, or solutions to occur or become more pronounced, are not to be construed as a critical, required, or an essential feature or element of any or all of the claims. 

1. A device, comprising: a substantially rectangular bag, comprising a front panel with two sides and a rear panel with two sides, said front panel being joined to said rear panel about the periphery thereof to form a closed bag; a centrally-located closure means disposed on the front panel and extending substantially along the length of said bag; and a plurality of interior compartments, each of said interior compartments formed by securing a portion of said front panel to a corresponding portion of said rear panel.
 2. The device according to claim 1, wherein said portion of said front panel and said corresponding portion of said rear panel is a distance less than one-half the width of the bag.
 3. The device according to claim 1, wherein said bag is mesh-like.
 4. The device according to claim 1, wherein said bag is formed of nylon.
 5. The device according to claim 1, wherein said closure means is a zipper.
 6. The device according to claim 1, wherein said closure means is formed of VELCRO.
 7. The device according to claim 1, wherein each of said plurality of interior compartments are selectively sized.
 8. The device according to claim 1, wherein one or more of said interior compartments have a height of approximately three inches and a width of approximately six inches.
 9. The device according to claim 1, further comprising: a hanging device connected to said bag on one of said sides.
 10. The device according to claim 1, further comprising: a loop connected to said bag along the top.
 11. A device, comprising: a mesh-like bag, comprising: a front panel having a selected width and length, and having a top, a bottom, and two sides, a rear panel having a width and length corresponding to said front panel, said rear panel having a top, a bottom, and two sides, said front panel being joined to said rear panel about the top, bottom and sides thereof to form a closed bag, an openable closure means centrally located and extending along the length of said front panel; and a plurality of partitions disposed along the length of said bag, said plurality of partitions being oriented generally perpendicular to said sides of said bag.
 12. The device according to claim 11, wherein each of said plurality of partitions are selectively sized, said plurality of partitions being formed by joining a portion of said front panel to a corresponding portion of said rear panel a selected distance.
 13. The device according to claim 11, wherein said selected distance is less than one-half the width of the bag.
 14. The device according to claim 11, wherein the front panel and said rear panel are formed of nylon.
 15. The device according to claim 11, wherein said openable closure means is a zipper.
 16. The device according to claim 11, wherein said openable closure means is formed of VELCRO.
 17. The device according to claim 11, further comprising: a hanging device connected at a top aperture and a bottom aperture located along one side of said bag.
 18. The device according to claim 11, further comprising: a loop coupled to said bag along a top edge.
 19. A method for washing small items in a washing machine, comprising the steps of: providing a mesh-like bag, said bag comprising: a front panel with two sides and a rear panel with two sides, said front panel being joined to said rear panel about the periphery thereof, a centrally-located closure means on said front panel and extending along the length of said bag; and a plurality of interior compartments, each of said interior compartments formed by securing a portion of said front panel to said rear panel, said portion being a distance less than one-half the width of said bag; placing small items of clothing to be washed in said interior compartments; and placing the bag in a washing machine to wash the items of clothing contained therein.
 20. The method according to claim 19, further comprising the steps of: removing the bag from the washing machine, and placing the bag in a clothes dryer. 